A Right to Love
Most people feel that Government rights should automatically be granted to U.S. citizens. An upstanding citizen who pays their taxes, serves their community and abides by the law should be afforded the rights of an American. However, not all citizens are afforded equal rights. Gay and lesbians are consistently denied rights that are typically taken for granted by the average American. Specifically, gay and lesbians couples are denied the right to marry even if they are upstanding citizens. They are held at an unfair disadvantage solely because of their sexual orientation. This discrimination must stop because gay and lesbian couples are law-abiding citizens too, who should be afforded the same rights as heterosexual couples. One common problem that plagues gay and lesbian couples that are denied the right to marry is their inability to claim their partner’s social security after he or she has died. The Human Rights Campaign, which work to achieve equal rights for lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender people, is supporting the effort to attain survivor benefits for domesticate partners. They believe, “Any alteration to the Social Security system must include partners of gays and lesbians in its definition of survivor” (Survivor Benefits 1). Currently, there are no programs that give homosexuals survivor benefits like the ones that are provided for heterosexuals who are married or divorced. Gay and lesbian partners are not able to claim benefits
Gays should be allowed to have the same rights as everyone else. They used to not be allowed to adopt children in some states. They get abused verbally, mentally, and physically by their family and friends. There are some people who disagree with the thought of gays getting married. They can’t get jobs because of their sexual orientation. Some people accept the fact that they want to love who they want to love. What’s important is that gays are mistreated wherever they go.
When it comes to the gay rights movement, the structure and the history of how it got to where it is today is a huge factor in today’s society. There have been a lot of things that negatively influenced gay rights. In some ways, things have happened in a positive way as well. The gay rights movement today and legalizing gay marriage has struck some people the wrong way because of their beliefs. For the gay community, though, it has been a very positive thing. Some of the big key moments in history went the way they did because of important events and important people causing it to go that way. These include Jeremy Bentham, Magnus Hirschfield, Henry Gerber, the making of the Mattachine Society, Stonewall Riots, Clela Rorex, the Ryan White
The debate on whether the constitution should be changed to allow gays/lesbians legal status, whereby the partners are protected while in the institution of marriage is a heated debated which has been ongoing in many years. There are those states whereby the rights of gays/lesbians to have legal marriages have been recognized, but in most of the states their right to legal marriage have not been recognized. This essay looks at the reasons why the American constitution should be amended to ensure that all states across the United States recognizes the rights of gays/lesbians to have legal marriages. The argument will focus on the impact that lack of legal marriages have on the gay and lesbian partners and the reasons why constitutional amendment can only be the best solution to resolve the issues of the rights for the gay community to a legal marriage.
Although equal right for all may seem accomplished, specific group in the United States still feel restriction still present for them. The LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) community feels the restrictions they have against them, while some of the straight community feels they are all treated as equals and that LGBTQ people should not have laws that are directly in their favor. The Institute for Policy Studies is acknowledging the struggles LGBTQ people face in the United States like their right to the basic rights all citizens should possess. The Heritage Foundation claims SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) laws threaten other citizen’s freedoms like free speech and religious liberty.
Gay rights are a civil rights issue although unrecognized on a par with women or Africans. As the definition of civil rights states “those positive rights, whether political, social or economic, conferred by the government on individuals or groups that had previously been denied them” (Yalof, 108). Homosexuals have been discriminated against historically, by both religious and political groups. There have been cases where they have been discriminated at work, clergy, and the military.
The argument is much deeper then weather or not they should be married because they share a home together. If couples are paying taxes to build roads and help public schools, they should be afforded the same rights the heterosexual couples have. This was the argument used in the Baker v. Vermont. In the Baker v. Vermont court case, “gay and lesbian couples had argued that they were denied the protection of more than 300 laws as a result of not being allowed to marry.” Homosexuals are finally suing the state because they are not receiving protection under the laws of state strictly because they are gay. The Vermont House of Representatives voted in favor of a same-sex civil union bill after the case resolved. This shows that looking at the matter as a legal issue, it is evident that gay couples are not regarded equally in the eyes of the law, and that the first steps to fix this social injustice are just now being taken, however, the vote is very close. Same-sex civil unions are a basis for nation-wide legal recognition of same-sex relationships. These same-sex civil marriages are demonstrating that the principals of “marriage” and the rights an American deserves, regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation, can be respected.
Approximately four weeks ago, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history occurred not to far from UCF. Patrons of Pulse nightclub, a gay nightclub in Orlando where massacred by Omar Mateen, Mateen took the lives of forty-nine individuals all because of their presence in a gay establishment. This tragic incident wasn’t the first attack on the LGBT community, but it’s massive fatalities put Congress under even more pressure to reform gun laws, gay rights, and suspected terrorist legislation. As a political Science major, I take a special interest in the reactions among legislators after the Orlando incident and believe there should be more equal protection for gay people under the law. The two articles I will be analyzing, After Orlando, a Political Divide on Gay Rights Still Stands and Gay rights and wrongs: How the Orlando massacre affects the fight for LGBT rights furthers the discourse among the divide in Congress over gay rights.
take a stance on homosexuality, these individuals do have certain liberties, just as all persons have liberties unless a legitimate state interest can be found to say otherwise. The Court’s broad sense of “liberty” has opened the door for the inclusion of same-sex marriage to be included in one’s personal liberties. The denials of the benefits that come with marriage have other impacts in the life of the person as they may face tougher medical, economical and familial situations. Having the right to visit an ailing partner in the hospital, buying property and filing taxes together, and decisions to raise children and have legal equal access over those children are just some of the burdens that unmarried same-sex couples face. The only time a liberty is allowed to be taken away from an individual is if there exists a legitimate state interest. There is no rational state interest in same-sex marriage. The protection of family values would
For many years, homosexuals have been discriminated because of their sexual orientation. There are parents who teach their children to look down on homosexuality and that it is seen unnatural. But that was before, now the new generation is still growing so they make their own decisions. This generation is more open-minded and more accepting to new ideas. Homosexuals should be able to live with the same equal rights as everyone in America since this is the country considered the “Land of the Free” or the “Mixing Pot.” African-Americans fought for equal rights and Hispanics fought for equal rights; then why can’t homosexuals also fight? If America wants to live up to their reputation then homosexuals should have
Throughout history, generations of Americans have been defined by the freedoms they fought for. Our founding fathers obviously fought for liberty from England, women at the turn of the 20th century bravely campaigned for the right to vote, and the youth of the 1950s and 1960s are perhaps best known for championing racial equality. In many, many years, the historians that reflect upon society today will probably agree that the most substantial battle waged by this generation is the one for LGBT rights. Great strides have been made for the gay community over the past several years, culminating with the Supreme Court ruling to recognize gay marriages as legal in all fifty states. However, the fight for homosexual equality is far from over. Despite having gained the right to marry-which was seen by many as the main focus of the gay rights movement- many people are still discriminated against in a variety of arenas every day because of their sexuality. One such sector is that of adoption. Although their inability to reproduce may make them appear to be the ideal candidates for adoption, many groups feel that gay couples should be prohibited from adopting due to religious or moral convictions. However, a strong case can certainly be made for allowing homosexual adoptions, namely because homosexuals already regularly adopt without incident, research has proven that gay parenting is not harmful to children, and it would support adoption in general.
To willingly want to fight for the safety and security of your country is courageous, selfless, and deserving of the utmost respect. One would think that more people would not want to risk their lives at war, than those who do. But countless brave souls go off to war because they want to and they love the idea of defending their home and loved ones. So the idea that such institutions would ever deny someone of risking their lives for the country seems absolutely ridiculous. But this was the very harsh reality of the LGBT community who wanted to serve in the military and be proud of not only their country, but also their identity and orientation. The extremely controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy treated the gay and lesbian soldiers
Key concerns of advocates of LGBT rights are the exclusion and discrimination of LGBT people. Many people have misconceptions about homosexuality or homophobic tendencies that LGBT have to try to work against. I think that many LGBT advocates are scared of being judged because of their sexual preferences. During the dialogue, we discussed the similarities of the fight for LGBT rights and minority rights. For example, African-Americans had limited legal rights and there were restrictions on facilities they could use. Similarly, laws were passed in Mississippi discriminating against same-sex couples and gay marriage. I would identify these as key issues because I think that violating LGBT rights is going against human rights of all people. Also, I believe that people should be allowed to engage in relationships with and marry who they choose. A great concern at this time for advocates of LGBT rights is gay
"There is no one like us on the earth. We are special. Everyone is valued the same amount of worth." This was said by Jennifer Byrne in her poem "Isn't It Right? We Are Equal". When it comes to civil rights not everyone sees things the same. An example would be Peta and how they believe animals should have civil rights. I know a lot of die-hard vegans would agree with the movement, but I personally don’t see a lion or a tiger having the same rights as you and me. Another example would be the older generation and the younger generation. The older generation aren't very happy about civil rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Yet, the younger generation is much more accepting and encourage to be yourself. I'll explain in detail a little later in this essay about the civil right for the LGBT community. Civil rights were created to form equality and freedom for everyone, no matter what ethnicity, belief, age, or gender they are or were wanting to become. Civil rights were created in 1964 originally for African Americans to eliminate segregation in public. Not knowing that this would open up so many more doors for others tospeak up for what they believe is right and start developing more civil rights.The whole reason why we have civil rights for Women, LGBT community, Native Americans, and Hispanics is because of the Civil Rights Act in 1964 for African Americans. For centuries African Americans have been below white man, along with any other
Gay Rights has always been a controversial topic. People have fought and argued over this simple human right for years and now we are finally seeing progress. The Gay Rights Movement started on 1924 by Henry Gerber, founder of The Society for Human Rights, the first documented Gay Rights organization according to CNN news. From the start homosexuality was considered a “sociopathic personality disturbance” which was diagnosed by the American Psychiatric Association in April 1952. When homosexuality became a hot topic, President Dwight D. Eisenhower singed an executive order that banned all homosexuals from working for the Federal Government saying” they are a security risk.” Which I can see why it was signed, homosexuals are very sassy and can put you in check which the government wouldn’t like. Fast forward to 2005, the state of California was one of the first states to pass a bill allowing same-sex marriage and on June 26, 2015 the Supreme Court ruled that a state cannot ban same-sex marriage which handed the best victory for gay advocates everywhere in America. Although Gay Rights have come a long way in America there is always room for more improvement such as discrimination on getting a job or adopting just because of your sexual orientation.
Around the world, 76 different countries classify homosexuality to be illegal, people are arrested simply for gender expression, and people are punished for simply being themselves. LGBT members deserve the same rights as everyone and anyone else. LGBT rights are human rights, religion and morality claims are not an excuse to promote hate.